Has anybody on TBN ever used a B-Kubota w/o loaded tires?

Lindsey · Jul 25, 2011

I have a B2620 unloaded tires I keep the BH on loaded tires are not recomended with BH attached .

RobertN · Jul 25, 2011

I had a B8200HSTD for 12 years. I never filled the back tires. But, I always had something on the back; mower or scraper mostly. Never had any need.

newbury · Jul 25, 2011

Lightnsound said:
My B7610 has unloaded tires. I use chains in the winter when necessary and it works great.

Ditto - also chains in mud. However I do "semi-load" with slime and carry a BH or a BB

And as far as blacktop - all the blacktop I go on is the public road when I'm clearing snow off it because the plows don't come around. Is the blacktop going to hurt the chains or the tractor?

k0ua · Jul 25, 2011

newbury said:
Ditto - also chains in mud. However I do "semi-load" with slime and carry a BH or a BB

And as far as blacktop - all the blacktop I go on is the public road when I'm clearing snow off it because the plows don't come around. Is the blacktop going to hurt the chains or the tractor?

I had chains on for 8 years on a B7500, yes the blacktop wears the chains a little, but mostly the chains wear the blacktop. It leaves "check" marks on both concrete and asphalt, pretty bad at times. especially when turning.
I tried to stay off the road as much as I could.

James K0UA

WilliamBos · Jul 25, 2011

Though it is not a Kubota, our 1635 does not have the tires loaded. Never needed tire chains in the winter. If I ever did need rear weight, would either get wheel weights, or just something on the 3 PT.

gyro433 · Jul 26, 2011

B2320, 160 hours unloaded. I use a ballast box when needed or leave the chipper on for light loader duties. No problems so far.

Gyro

donn12 · Jul 26, 2011

I have a set of each and I really prefer the way the tractor feels with the loaded tires. I use it a lot on my yard so I have unloaded turfs to avoid ruts. If you are not going to be on grass I would strongly recommend loaded R1s. The thing is unstoppable. Unloaded turfs have zero traction by comparison. I never thought about a flat, I guess I don't read about them enough.

hancocks · Jul 26, 2011

I have a BX-24 in very hilly Vermont (for the last 4 years) and have both R-4 and ag tires loaded. I think (my guess) that it has to do more with the tractor size, meaning the importance of having loaded tires. I nicknamed my Kubota "Flippy" because I feel it has a tendency to want to come unglued on certain hills and certain aspects (haven't "finished" the rollover yet, and would like to not). I usually (but not always) mow with the loader and the backhoe attached, and swing the backhoe uphill in certain spots. I also bought a spacer kit (blanking on the name of the company, but I love it) - spaced the rear wheels out 2" on each side. And you know what? That 2" on each side made about a 50% difference in the feel of my machine on hillsides. Can't recommend it any more highly, especially for a smaller machine like mine. Also, the kit was totally professionally done - all the machinework was tops, and NOW I have studs instead of bolts, so changing the tires (the weighted tires) is not nearly as arduous as it once was when I was doing it with bolts.
The one drawback with the spacers is that I had to have my 54" deck mower's rear idler wheels moved outward several inches, but the local dealership did it for under $100, cut, re-welded, sanded, painted, and did it so cleanly that it's very hard to tell that it didn't come out of the factory that way.
Summary: if you're concerned about your tractor turning turtle due to its small size, I think that weighing the tires is a plus. Haven't found a downside to it yet, personally.

BX-24, 2" rear wheel spacers, non-hydraulic thumb on the backhoe, brush hog, blade, slightly modified 54" deck mower w/gator blades (pretty good blades, too)

jakell2010 · Jul 26, 2011

Had every other tractor without loaded tires,,,,,,,wouldn't switch back

Vtfirefighter · Jul 26, 2011

B2620. Loaded tires with BH and FEL. The dealership told me that they loaded the tires with a beet juice mixture? I live in Vermont and was told this was better than the calcium chloride that has been used and sounds better. Not as corrosive I assume.